EUCHARIST

Ages and the order for Childrens Sacraments

In the year when children turn eight or older, they are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation administered by the Bishop or his delegate.

The next year, in the year when children turn nine or older, they are welcomed to the Lord’s Table and receive Eucharist. This is the climax of their Christian initiation.

And the year after that, in the year when children turn ten or older, they are prepared to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance with individual confession and absolution (the first rite).

Celebrations of the Sacraments are not isolated events. They take their place within a process of growth in faith from birth to adolescence. Discernment of a child's readiness for the Sacraments by parents and pastor is more important than the child's age or year level and might meant that the Sacraments are celebrated later than the norm. (If you have any concerns, you are welcome to discuss this with one of our priests at the Parent Information Night.)